Nikki Sixx says Mick Mars is confused.
In a new interview, the Mötley Crüe bassist talked about Mars’ lawsuit against the band saying, “If a member of a band tells you that they can’t tour because of health reasons, you have two choices. You can quit as a band [after] 42 years of work. Or we could look at each other and go ‘Are we done yet?!’ We’re really peaking and we understand [Mick’s] health issues. We wish him the best and we know that he’s a little bit confused and being misled by representatives right now. But we still have to stay focused on why we’re here.”
Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis. After years of performing through the pain, he announced last summer that he could no longer tour.
In his lawsuit, Mars alleged the band reduced his share of earnings from 25 percent to just five percent after he revealed his decision.
He also said that he was the only band member to play 100 percent live on their most recent tour, claiming Sixx “Did not play a single note on bass during the entire U.S. tour.”
Sixx responded on Twitter, writing, “Sad day for us and we don’t deserve this considering how many years we’ve been propping him up. We still wish him the best and hope he find’s [sic] lawyers and managers who aren’t damaging him. We love you Mick.”